(Applicant?s Abstract): There is a serious shortage of minority researchers involved in drug abuse research. Building on the strengths of existing faculty in the Atlanta University Center?s consortium of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and following Morris Brown College?s """"""""Learning Tree"""""""" model of comprehensive education for pre-college, in-college, and post-baccalaureate students, a program has been designed to do the following: (1) to strengthen the infrastructure that supports research on these campuses; (2) to create a """"""""cluster"""""""" of drug abuse researchers on campus and, thus, to broaden the base of scientific knowledge in the area of drug abuse research; (3) to further increase drug abuse research on the Atlanta University Center campuses by encouraging local graduate students to carry out drug abuse research dissertations on these campuses; (4) to involve faculty in research development activities that will strengthen their capability to carry out cutting edge research; and (5) to provide research participation experiences for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students that will encourage them to pursue post-graduate studies and careers in drug abuse research. To our existing cluster of animal research projects on drug tolerance and drug discrimination, we propose to add several human projects on drug abuse prevention and treatment. This will serve to """"""""broaden the scientific knowledge base in those areas where minority institutions may have particular interest, knowledge, and commitment"""""""" and, we believe, will enhance the attractiveness of drug abuse research for our students and faculty. We feel that a community of faculty and student researchers on the Atlanta University Center campuses will serve to strengthen faculty research and inspire additional faculty, staff, and students to become involved in drug abuse research.
